Lewis Dominguez earns 2025 Outstanding Postdoc Award
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (10/22/2025) – Lewis Dominguez, a Postdoctoral Associate for the School of Mathematics Center for Educational Programs, has been recognized with the 2025 Outstanding Postdoc Award in Service to our Academic Community from the University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Association (PDA). Lewis, who has also served on the leadership team for the PDA for the last year and a half, earned the award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the University’s postdoctoral community.
Lewis came to the University of Minnesota in Fall 2024 after completion of his PhD at the University of Kentucky. His primary research interest is in the area of algebraic topology, and he blends his mathematical expertise with recent work in broadening his horizons in teaching and mentorship. “Recently, I've been focusing on improving my pedagogy and leading undergraduate research,” he says. “On the pedagogy side, I've been learning more about alternative grading and implementing it in my classes, and on the undergraduate research side, I've been working with a UMTYMP student (now at UCB) to understand the group theory of NxMx1 twisty puzzles.”
When it comes to his role in the UMN PDA, Lewis says his drive to be a part of the team comes from a simple desire to help out however he can. “At my previous institution, the Mathematics Department Graduate Student Council had such a strong influence on me–from a first year seminar all the way to job material workshop, they felt integral to my success, so I felt obligated to join them and chip in where I could. When I came to the U, that same drive persisted, and so I was on the lookout for a way to help. Within the first semester I saw an email about the PDA and some open roles. I decided to look for a minor role and ended up becoming the communications officer.” After his first year of service to the PDA, he was encouraged to run for president for the new academic year. He says he decided to go for it because, well, “someone has to do it.” “ I don't mean this in a blasé sense,” he continues, “more in a way that we need to ensure the community is supported, connected, and given the tools to succeed, and I'm willing and motivated to be the person who helps make that happen. Without the events from the Office of Postdoctoral Initiatives and the Postdoctoral Association, I'm not sure I ever would have met postdocs outside of my department, let alone numerous postdoctoral alumni.”
When he’s not busy in the MathCEP office or helping make sure things run smoothly for the PDA, Lewis likes to spend his time tinkering and creating. “I'm a huge fan of 'making', everything from 3D printing to lasercutting, woodworking, and machining. My 'fun' goal is to finish a personal project relating to this - I've been expanding my horizons so that I can make my own engagement ring and wedding band using University makerspaces and materials sourced within Minnesota!”
About the UMN Postdoctoral Association
From the UMN PDA website
The University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Association got its start in Fall 2002, initiated by a small group of postdocs on the Twin Cities campus who were interested in helping to improve conditions for postdocs at this university.
The shared vision that developed out of those early meetings has resulted in a formal organization, open to anyone in the postdoctoral ranks at UMN. The UMN PDA is a channel through which postdocs can express their views to the university administration, and also from which they can find help and proactive support on issues of employment, professional development, and life at this university.
Beyond that, we hope that the UMN PDA will serve as a core in the formation of a vibrant community of non-tenure-track researchers on our campus, where information, ideas, and inspiration are shared. To that end, the UMN PDA maintains close ties with the Office of Postdoctoral Initiatives (OPI), the Council of Academic Professionals and Administrators (CAPA), and other representative organizations on campus. We also are an organizational member of the National Postdoctoral Association.